JP2005111722A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which enables repair to be easily performed by surely leaving failure information in a failure in an apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When the failure in the apparatus is detected by a failure detection part (S1: YES), the failure information, which is analyzed by a failure analyzing part (S2), is written into external media by a media interface (S3: NO, S7-S9). Thus, even if all of a printing system, facsimile transmission and network communication systems and the like are out of order, the failure information is surely left in the external media, and can be transmitted to a maintainer and the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having at least one of a copy function, a fax function, and a printer function.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus that notifies a user of detailed information necessary for coping with a failure when a failure is detected in an internal device or circuit (Patent Document 1). When this image forming apparatus detects a failure, it reports the occurrence of the failure and detailed information to the administrator or service person of the device by a preset method such as printing of failure information, facsimile transmission or network communication. It has become.
JP 2001-34120 A

  However, in the above-described image forming apparatus, when a preset failure information transmission unit is out of order, failure information cannot be transmitted, and failure transmission such as printing systems, facsimile transmissions, and network communication systems can be performed. If all of the means are out of order, no failure information can be transmitted. Therefore, accurate failure information cannot be obtained, and it may take time to repair the device.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of easily repairing a device by reliably leaving failure information when the device fails.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises failure detection means for detecting a failure of the device,
Failure analysis means for obtaining failure information by analyzing the content of the failure detected by the failure detection means;
Media writing means for writing various data to external media;
When a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, a control means is provided for causing the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means to be written on an external medium loaded in the media writing means.

  In this configuration, when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, the failure analysis means analyzes the content of the failure, and the control means causes the failure information to be written to the media writing means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit detects the failure of the apparatus by the failure detection unit, and then sends an external medium to the medium writing unit. Is loaded with the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means.

  In this configuration, when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, the control means does not write the failure information until the external media is loaded into the media writing means, and the external media is loaded into the media writing means. When it is done, the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means is written to the external medium.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to receive failure information analyzed by the failure analysis unit at the time of failure detection by the failure detection unit, The medium writing means writes the data on an external medium.

  In this configuration, when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, the control means immediately writes the failure information to the external medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, comprising operation information collecting means for collecting operation information of the apparatus,
The control unit causes the operation information collected by the operation information collection unit to be periodically written to an external medium by the media writing unit.

  In this configuration, the control unit periodically writes the operation information collected by the operation information collection unit from the media writing unit to the external medium, so that the operation information of the apparatus is periodically backed up to the external medium. .

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a plurality of output means for outputting the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means. ,
When the failure of the media writing unit is detected by the failure detection unit, the control unit causes the failure information to be output from an output unit that has not been detected by the failure detection unit among the plurality of output units. Is.

  In this configuration, when a failure of the media writing unit is detected by the failure detection unit, failure information is output from an output unit in which no failure is detected by the failure detection unit.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the display unit displays the output unit in which no failure is detected by the failure detection unit,
An operation means for inputting an instruction for specifying an output means for outputting failure information from the output means displayed on the display means,
When the failure of the media writing unit is detected by the failure detection unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display an output unit in which the failure is not detected by the failure detection unit among the plurality of output units. The failure information is output to the output means specified by the instruction input to the operation means.

  In this configuration, when the failure detecting unit detects a failure of the media writing unit, the control unit displays on the display unit an output unit in which no failure is detected by the failure detecting unit, and an instruction input to the operating unit. Failure information is output to the specified output means.

The invention according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of output means for outputting the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means,
Display means for displaying output means in which no failure is detected by the failure detection means;
An operation means for inputting an instruction for specifying an output means for outputting failure information from the output means displayed on the display means,
When a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, the control means causes the display means to display a means of which the failure detection means has not been detected among the plurality of output means and media writing means. The failure information is output to the means specified by the instruction input to the operation means.

  In this configuration, when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, regardless of whether the output means or the media writing means is used, a means in which no failure is detected by the failure detection means is displayed on the display means and input to the operation means. The failure information is output to the means specified by the specified instruction.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is a failure detection means for detecting a failure of the apparatus, a failure analysis means for analyzing the contents of the failure detected by the failure detection means to obtain failure information, and the failure analysis means. An image forming apparatus comprising a plurality of output means for outputting failure information analyzed by
Detecting means for detecting operable output means from the plurality of output means;
Control means for outputting failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means from operable output means detected by the detection means.

  According to this configuration, when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection unit, the failure analysis unit analyzes the content of the failure, and the detection unit detects an operable output unit from the plurality of output units, and performs control. The means outputs failure information from the output means detected as operable.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when failure of the apparatus is detected, failure information is written to the external medium loaded in the media writing means, so that all of the printing system, facsimile transmission, network communication system, etc. are broken. Even if it is, the failure information can be reliably transmitted to the maintenance person or the like. Therefore, even if the device breaks down, accurate failure information can be obtained, and the device can be quickly repaired.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a failure of the apparatus is detected, the failure information is not written until the external media is loaded in the media writing means, and the external media is loaded in the media writing means. Sometimes, failure information is written to an external medium, so that failure information can be written to the external medium when the failure information is required, such as when the maintenance person loads the external medium.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when a failure of the apparatus is detected, the failure information is immediately written to the external medium. Therefore, the external medium is loaded into the medium writing means during the operation of the apparatus. By leaving it as it is, failure information at the time of failure detection can be sequentially written to the external medium.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the operation information of the apparatus is periodically backed up to an external medium, maintenance can be performed based on the operation information backed up to the external medium even when the apparatus is out of order. A person or the like can grasp the operating state of the apparatus.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when the media writing means is out of order, failure information is reliably output from the output means in which no failure is detected. Therefore, failure information can be more reliably transmitted to a maintenance person or the like.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, even when the media writing unit is out of order and failure information cannot be written to the external medium, the failure information is output from the output device selected by the user, Failure information can be reliably transmitted to a maintenance person or the like, and the repair of the apparatus can be promptly handled.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the user can select means for outputting failure information.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, when failure of the apparatus is detected, the failure information is output from the output means operable among the plurality of output means. Therefore, any one of the plurality of output means is selected. Even if the output means is out of order and failure information cannot be output, the failure information can be reliably output from the operable output means, and the failure information can be reliably transmitted to the maintenance person or the like. Therefore, even if the device breaks down, accurate failure information can be obtained, and the device can be quickly repaired.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The multifunction device 1 has functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The multi-function device 1 includes a main body 2, a stack tray 3 disposed on the left side of the main body 2, a document reading unit 5 disposed on the top of the main body 2, and an upper side of the document reading unit 5. And a document feeding unit 6 disposed.

  An operation unit (operation means) 47 is provided at the front portion of the multifunction machine 1. The operation unit 47 displays a start key 471 for a user to input a print execution instruction, a ten key 472 for inputting the number of copies to be printed, operation guide information for various copying operations, and the like. Display unit (display unit) 473 including a liquid crystal display having a touch panel function, a reset key 474 for resetting setting contents set in the display unit 473, and a printing (image forming) operation being executed are stopped. A stop key 475 for switching, and a function switching key 477 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor and an exposure lamp, and a document table 52 and a document reading slit 53 made of a transparent member such as glass. The scanner unit 51 is configured to be movable by a drive unit (not shown). When reading a document placed on the document table 52, the scanner unit 51 is moved along the document surface at a position facing the document table 52, and the document image is scanned. The image data acquired while scanning is output to the control unit 100 (FIG. 2). Further, when reading a document fed by the document feeding unit 6, the document is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and synchronized with the document feeding operation by the document feeding unit 6 via the document reading slit 53. The image of the original is acquired and the image data is output to the control unit 100.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing unit 61 for placing a document, a document discharge unit 62 for discharging a document whose image has been read, and a document placed on the document placing unit 61. A document transport mechanism 63 including a paper feed roller (not shown), a transport roller (not shown) and the like for feeding the paper one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53 and discharging it to the document discharge section 62 is provided. The document conveyance mechanism 63 further includes a sheet reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the document and reversely conveys the document to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and scans both sides of the document through the document reading slit 53. 51 can be read.

  The document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body unit 2 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the document table 52, the operator can place a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the document table 52. It has become.

  The main body 2 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds the recording paper from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the recording unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And a recording unit 40 for forming an image.

  The recording unit (output means) 40 outputs a laser beam or the like based on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 51 to expose the photosensitive drum 43, and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 43. A developing unit 44, a transfer unit 41 for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 43 to the recording paper, a fixing unit 45 for heating the recording paper to which the toner image has been transferred and fixing the toner image on the recording paper, and a recording Conveying rollers 463, 464, etc. that are provided in the sheet conveying path in the section 40 and convey the recording sheet to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. . In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the recording unit 40. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 3 or the discharge tray 48.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit (control means) 100 that controls the overall operation. The control unit 100 includes a scanner unit 51 including an exposure lamp 511 and a CCD 512 that can read a document image, a paper transport unit (transport rollers 463, 464, etc.) 401, and an image forming unit (optical unit 42 and developing unit). And the recording unit 40 including the transfer unit 41 and the fixing unit 45 are connected. The control unit 100 also includes an image memory 140 in which document data read by the scanner unit 51 is temporarily stored, and a large capacity HDD (storage device) having a storage capacity capable of storing a large amount of document data. 150 is connected.

  The image processing unit 160 converts an analog image signal output from the scanner unit 51 into a digital image when image reading is performed by the scanner unit 51, performs image processing for improving image quality, and then converts the image into a compressed image. This compressed image is written into the image memory 140. The control unit 100 stores the compressed image written in the image memory 140 in the HDD 150 as file data to be document managed. When the registered document is printed out, the file data (compressed image) to be printed out is written to the image memory 140 from the HDD 150 or a computer on the network, and the image processing unit 160 decompresses the compressed file data. In the case of laser exposure, for example, analog modulation is performed on the laser signal. The recording unit 40 prints out the analog-modulated signal.

  The control unit 100 also functions as a scanner controller 101, a facsimile controller 102, a printer controller 103, a copy controller 104, and a network controller 105 that control each function that can be executed by the multifunction device 1.

  The scanner controller 101 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the operation of the scanner unit. The facsimile controller 102 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the facsimile operation, and controls a facsimile communication unit (output unit) 170 that adjusts data necessary for facsimile communication. The facsimile communication unit 170 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) that controls connection of a telephone line with a destination facsimile that is a data transmission / reception partner. The copy controller 104 controls the operation of each unit necessary for the copy operation.

  The printer controller 103 performs operation control of each unit necessary for printer operation. To this printer controller 103, several bits are sent simultaneously by using a plurality of signal lines. A parallel interface for connecting to an external device by parallel transmission for sending several bits at a time and data are sent one bit at a time using a single signal line. A serial interface connected to an external device by serial transmission is connected. These parallel interface and serial interface are represented as an I / F unit 210 in FIG.

  The network controller 105 controls data transmission / reception performed between the multifunction machine 1 and a computer on the network, as well as a site on the Internet. The network controller 105 transmits / receives data to / from a network-connected PC (personal computer) via a network interface (represented as the I / F unit 210 in FIG. 2).

  The failure detection unit (failure detection means) 181 detects a failure of the multifunction device 1 (specifically, the mechanism of each part of the multifunction device 1). For example, the failure detection unit 181 determines whether or not a feedback signal to be returned from each drive motor is returned during control by the control unit 100 such as a drive motor such as the photosensitive drum 43 and the conveyance roller 463, and the feedback signal is If the drive motor does not return, it is determined that the drive motor has failed. The failure analysis unit (failure analysis means) 182 analyzes the content of the failure detected by the failure detection unit 181. That is, for example, based on the location of the failure detected by the failure detection unit 181, the failure analysis unit 182 sends a circuit diagram of the failure location, a method for repairing the failure location, a message to be displayed on the display unit 473, and the like from the HDD 150 or the like. Perform the reading operation.

  The media interface (medium writing means) 200 is loaded with a small semiconductor medium (external media) such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), reads out data such as programs from the loaded external media, and externally. It has a function to write various data to media.

  The operation unit (operation means) 47 is used for inputting various instructions necessary for the operation of the multifunction machine 1 from an operator (user). The operation unit 47 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like. The operation unit 47 displays a display unit 473 that displays various operation messages and the like necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 1, an execution key for inputting a printout execution instruction, And an operation key unit 478 including a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies to be printed out. The display unit 473 preferably includes a touch panel function and has a configuration in which an operator can input necessary instructions by touching the touch panel. Note that a message (described later) for prompting selection of a device that outputs failure information is displayed on the display unit 473, and an output device selection instruction from the user is input from the display unit 473 (such as a touch panel) or the operation key unit 478. It is like that.

(First embodiment)
Next, failure information output processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing failure information output processing by the multifunction device 1. When the failure detection unit 181 detects a failure (location) of a mechanism of each unit of the multifunction device 1 (YES in S1), the failure analysis unit 182 analyzes the content of this failure (S2). That is, the failure analysis unit 182 performs processing such as reading out a circuit diagram of the failure location detected by the failure detection unit 181, a failure repair method, and a display message to the display unit 473 (hereinafter referred to as failure information) from the HDD 150. . Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the media interface 200 has failed (S3). That is, it is determined whether or not failure information can be written to an external medium by the media interface 200.

  Here, when the external media by the media interface 200 is not broken (NO in S3) and the writing to the external media is possible, the control unit 100 stores the failure information in a memory (not shown) or the like. (S7) When the user confirms that the external media is loaded into the media interface 200 (YES in S8), the failure information is written to the external media by the media interface 200 (S9).

  If it is determined in S3 that the media interface 200 has failed (YES in S3), the failure detection unit 181 detects a device that can output the failure information (S4). That is, the failure detection unit 181 selects a device that has not failed from among the recording device 40, the display unit 473, the facsimile communication unit 170, and a network device (such as the I / F unit 210) for transmitting data to the external PC. Detect (S4).

  Here, when there is a device that can output failure information, that is, a device that does not fail and operates normally (YES in S5), the control unit 100 determines that one or more devices from the normally operating device. And fault information is output (S6). That is, in the case of the recording unit 40, the content of the failure information is printed, in the case of the display unit 473, the content of the failure information is displayed, and in the case of the facsimile communication unit 170, the content of the failure information is given to a predetermined destination. In the case of a data transmission device to an external PC, failure information is transmitted from the network interface (I / F unit 210) to the external PC. If there is no device that can output failure information (NO in S5), that is, if all the output devices have failed, the process is terminated.

  By performing such processing, when a failure of the mechanism of each part of the multifunction device 1 is detected, failure information is written to an external medium loaded in the media interface 200, so that printing system, facsimile transmission, and network communication are performed. Even if all systems are out of order, the failure information can be reliably left on the external media and the failure information can be transmitted to the maintenance person, etc., and the MFP 1 can be promptly repaired. it can. Even if the media interface 200 is out of order, output devices that are not out of order (recording unit 40, display unit 473, facsimile communication unit 170, network device for transmitting failure information to an external PC ( Failure information is reliably output from the I / F unit 210 and the like)).

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction device 1, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing for writing operation information to an external medium by the multifunction device 1. Note that the same processes as those in FIG. In the process shown in FIG. 3, the failure information is temporarily stored when a failure of the apparatus is detected, and the failure information is written to the external medium when an external medium is loaded on the media interface 200 by the user or the like. However, in the second embodiment, whenever a failure is detected by the failure detection unit 181, failure information is sequentially written from the media interface 200 to the external medium at that time.

  That is, when the failure detection unit 181 detects a failure (S1) and the failure analysis unit 182 analyzes the failure content (S2), the control unit 100 determines that the media interface 200 has not failed in S3 (S3). NO), it is detected that an external medium is loaded in the media interface 200 (YES in S10), and failure information is immediately written from the media interface 200 to the external medium (S9). If no external media is loaded in the media interface 200 (NO in S10), the process proceeds to S4, and the failure detection unit 181 detects a device that can output failure information. Here, if there is a device that can output failure information (YES in S5), the control unit 100 identifies one or more devices from the devices that are determined to be capable of outputting failure information, and the failure is detected. Information is output (S6).

  By performing such processing, if the external media is left loaded in the media interface 200 during the operation of the multifunction device 1, failure information at the time of failure detection can be sequentially written to the external media. Even if the media interface 200 fails after the failure detection and the failure information writing, and the failure information cannot be written, the failure information before the failure of the media interface 200 is reliably written to the external medium. Can be.

  In parallel with the processing according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, every time a predetermined period elapses, in this embodiment every time a certain time elapses (S51), an operation information collection unit (operation information collection Means) 183 periodically collects the operation information of the MFP 1 (S52), and the control unit 100 may perform processing for writing the operation information from the media interface 200 to the external medium (S53, S54). The operation information is information indicating the operation status of the multifunction device 1 (for example, (1) the value of the number of printed sheets that counts the number of printed sheets for each paper type and color / monochrome printing, and (2) the multifunction device 1. The value of the greenhouse sensor for measuring the internal environmental temperature, (3) the output value of the main charger (optical unit 42) that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, the value of the transfer bias of the transfer unit 45, the toner concentration sensor And the like, which are used by the maintenance person to grasp the operating state of the multifunction machine 1 during maintenance.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a third embodiment of the failure information output process by the multifunction device 1. Note that the same processes as those in FIG. 3 or FIG. In the third embodiment, when a failure is detected, if the media interface 200 is not broken, the failure information is immediately written to an external medium when the failure occurs. If the media interface 200 is broken, the failure information is stored. Failure information is output by an output device selected by the user from among devices that can be output.

  After failure detection and failure content analysis (S1, S2), if the media interface 200 has not failed (NO in S3), the control unit 100 immediately writes failure information from the media interface 200 to the external media (S10). , S9).

  If the media interface 200 is out of order (YES in S3) and there is a device that can output failure information (YES in S4 and S5), the control unit 100 outputs the failure information and each output device that can output the failure information. Is displayed on the display unit 473 (S11). And failure information is output to the output apparatus instruct | indicated by the user from the operation part 7 (S12 thru | or S16).

  That is, when the recording unit 40 is instructed by the user (“recording unit” in S12), the control unit 100 causes the recording unit 40 to print failure information (S13), and when fax transmission is selected (S12). "Fax"), the content of the failure information is printed or the content of the failure information is transmitted to a predetermined destination (S14), and when output to an external PC is selected ("External PC" in S12) ), The failure information is transmitted to the external PC (S15). When the display unit 473 is selected (“display unit” in S12), the content of the failure information is displayed on the display unit 473. The devices that can output the failure information are not all of the recording unit 40, the facsimile communication unit 170, the output device to the external PC, and the display unit 473, but any of the output devices displayed on the display unit 473 in S11. In the case of being limited only to the above, it is assumed that a non-failed device is displayed on the display unit 473 and the failure information is output to the output device selected by the user from the displayed output devices.

  As a result, when the media interface 200 has not failed, the failure information is immediately written to the external medium when the failure is detected, and even if the media interface 200 fails after the failure is detected, the failure is ensured. Even if the information can be left on the external medium, and even if the media interface 200 is out of order and the failure information cannot be written to the external medium, the user selects the desired output device and displays the failure information. The failure information can be reliably transmitted to a maintenance person or the like.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a fourth embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction machine 1. Note that the same processes as those in FIG. 3 or FIG. The fourth embodiment is characterized in that failure information is output to an output device selected by a user when a failure is detected.

  After failure detection and failure content analysis (S1, S2), the failure detection unit 181 receives failure information from the recording unit 40, the facsimile communication unit 170, the transmission device to the external PC, the display unit 473, and the media interface 200. Devices that can be output (devices that have not failed) are detected (S23). The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a message that prompts selection of a device that can output failure information and a device that outputs failure information (S24), and outputs failure information from the output device selected by the user (S25). To S31). Here, when the user selects writing to the external medium (“external medium” in S25) and the external medium is loaded in the media interface 200 (YES in S30), the failure information Is written to the external media from the media interface 200 (S31), and when the external media is not loaded in the media interface 200 (NO in S30), the process returns to S24 to output failure information to the user again. Prompt the user to select the output device to be used.

  As a result, the user can select a desired output device to output failure information and reliably transmit the failure information to a maintenance person or the like. When an external medium is not loaded in the media interface 200, the user can select another output device and output failure information.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention has been described as the multifunction device 1 having both a copy function, a printer function, and the like, but has all of the copy function, the fax function, and the printer function. In such a case, a device that can output failure information is detected from the functions of the device, and the failure information is output from the detected device.

  In the first embodiment (FIG. 3), the process of writing the failure information to the external medium by the media interface 200 based on the failure of the media interface 200 and the output device other than the media interface 200 It is determined which of the processes for outputting the failure information is executed. Regardless of the failure of the media interface 200, the failure including the media interface 200 and outputting the failure information is detected. One or a plurality of devices may be identified from the devices detected as being capable of being output, and failure information may be output from the identified devices.

1 is a side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a multifunction machine. 6 is a flowchart illustrating failure information output processing by the multifunction peripheral. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing for writing operation information to an external medium by the multifunction peripheral. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction peripheral. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment of failure information output processing by the multifunction peripheral.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP (image forming device)
40 Recording unit (output means)
47 Operation part (operation means)
100 Control unit (control means)
170 Facsimile communication section (output means)
181 Failure detection unit (failure detection means)
182 Failure analysis unit (failure analysis means)
183 Operation information collection unit (operation information collection means)
473 Display section (display means)
200 Media interface (media writing means)

Claims (8)

A failure detection means for detecting a failure of the device;
Failure analysis means for obtaining failure information by analyzing the content of the failure detected by the failure detection means;
Media writing means for writing various data to external media;
And a control means for writing the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means to an external medium loaded in the media writing means when a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means. Image forming apparatus.   The control means causes the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means to be written when an external medium is loaded in the media writing means after a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis unit to be written to an external medium by the media writing unit when a failure is detected by the failure detection unit. . Comprising operation information collecting means for collecting apparatus operation information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the medium writing unit to periodically write the operation information collected by the operation information collecting unit to an external medium. A plurality of output means for outputting the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means,
When the failure of the media writing unit is detected by the failure detection unit, the control unit causes the failure information to be output from an output unit that has not been detected by the failure detection unit among the plurality of output units. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. Display means for displaying output means in which no failure is detected by the failure detection means;
An operation means for inputting an instruction for specifying an output means for outputting failure information from the output means displayed on the display means,
When the failure of the media writing unit is detected by the failure detection unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display an output unit in which the failure is not detected by the failure detection unit among the plurality of output units. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein failure information is output to an output unit specified by an instruction input to the operation unit. A plurality of output means for outputting the failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means;
Display means for displaying output means in which no failure is detected by the failure detection means;
An operation means for inputting an instruction for specifying an output means for outputting failure information from the output means displayed on the display means,
When a failure of the apparatus is detected by the failure detection means, the control means causes the display means to display a means of which the failure detection means has not been detected among the plurality of output means and media writing means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein failure information is output to a unit specified by an instruction input to the operation unit. A failure detection means for detecting a failure of the apparatus; a failure analysis means for analyzing the contents of the failure detected by the failure detection means to obtain failure information; and a plurality of failure information output by the failure analysis means An image forming apparatus comprising an output unit,
Detecting means for detecting operable output means from the plurality of output means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for outputting failure information analyzed by the failure analysis means from operable output means detected by the detection means.

Images